The USF Center for Asia Pacific Studies is delighted to introduce our new Kiriyama Fellow, Dr. Michael Dufresne. Dr. Dufresne will be in residence at the center for the 2024-2025 academic year. During his time here, he will be teaching in the philosophy department, coordinating the center’s Asia Bridge Graduate Fellowship program, and conducting research on Chinese philosophy and decolonial epistemologies. We recently interviewed him to learn more about his approach to teaching and research. Read his biography here »

 

Welcome to USF, Dr. Dufresne! We are excited to have you join the USF Center for Asia Pacific Studies as our new Kiriyama Fellow. Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what you’ll be doing at USF?
My name is Michael Dufresne and I recently got my PhD from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. I’m now the Kiriyama Fellow at the Center for Asia Pacific Studies where I will be coordinating the Asia Bridge Graduate Fellowship. I am also teaching Philosophy 480 this year.

 

What got you interested in studying the Asia Pacific?
I originally became interested in the Asia Pacific during my undergraduate studies. My advisor introduced me to Chinese philosophy and I decided to pursue a graduate degree at UH Mānoa. While in Hawai‘i, I became acquainted with the political tensions in the region, such as the annexation of Hawai’i by the US and the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. This got me interested in colonialism and its impact on people in the Asia Pacific.

 

How is the Asia Pacific relevant to students today?
Besides the fact that many students come from the Asia Pacific region, I believe the Asia Pacific offers alternatives to the dominant modes of knowing in the modern world. For example, there’s a lot of tension between indigenous ways of thinking and Western imperialism in our current political discourse.

 

How would you describe your teaching philosophy and style?
At the University of Hawai‘i, I studied an approach to teaching called philosophy for children, or p4cHI, that prioritizes community over content. The goal is to form a community where students feel empowered to take intellectual risks and critique their own ideas as well as those of others. Additionally, I want students to take what they learn in class and apply it to their own interests. My hope is to broaden students’ minds, so they can engage more deeply with the world.

 

Why should students take your course?
My course on human nature offers students a broad perspective on what it means to be human. We examine human nature through comparative and critical lenses. Using these lenses, we will discuss topics such as race, sexuality, morality, and religion. Students will understand how our perceptions of being human impact our day-to-day lives.

 

You specialize in Chinese philosophy. What is the most important lesson for USF students from this tradition?
One of the most fascinating ideas from the Chinese tradition is Zhuangzi’s thoughts about “the way” or dao. In particular, Zhuangzi is often playfully critical of this idea, arguing that the best way to know “the way” is to have no way! One way to understand this is that we shouldn’t be so fixated on labeling the world and finding specific paths, but should allow ourselves to “go with the flow” and be adaptable.

 

What research topics will you focus on while in residence at USF?
I’d like to continue my research on Chinese philosophy and aesthetics. I’ve also developed a growing interest in alternative epistemologies, specifically decolonial epistemologies. I want to explore different modes of intellectual praxis and alternative ways of knowing that are not often considered legitimate in modern academia.

 

What are your personal hobbies or interests?
I enjoy writing poetry, playing guitar, traveling and hiking. I am also a vegetarian and so I like to explore different food cultures!

 

Can you tell me more about the Asia Bridge Fellowship Program and what you hope students will gain from participating in it this year?
The Asia Bridge Fellowship Program offers students training and funding to research topics relevant to the Asia Pacific. During this academic year-long fellowship, students will develop their research skills and deeply engage with the aspects of the Asia Pacific that interest them. As a Kiriyama Fellow, I serve as the coordinator for the graduate student fellowship. Instructions for how to apply can be found on the Center for Asia Pacific Studies website under Fellowships and Awards.

 

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Dufresne to the University of San Francisco!